David L. Walters Department of Music

Professionalism

You have been chosen to represent JSU's David L. Walters Department of Music as a Student Teacher. We believe you are very capable of doing an excellent job, and encourage you to take every opportunity to behave professionally. When placing phone calls to parents and when speaking with students, always remember you are representing the university and department as an employee, and present your very best manner. If you have any challenging situations with parents or students, promptly discuss them with Dr. Freeland. I am always available, even if not present in my office. Call me at 256-453-2536 or email me at wfreeland@jsu.edu.

Teaching Load and Contract

You will be contacted within a week of the application deadline and given a roster of students. You will be asked to complete the JSU Student Employee Acknowledgment and advised to visit the Human Resources Department. Kim Cooper will contact you monthly to visit the music office and sign for your work; please do so promptly to ensure the receipt of your payment. You can expect a paycheck at the beginning of October, November and December for the fall semester, and February, March and April for the spring semester.

Scheduling of Students

Upon receipt of student roster, aggressively try all email addresses and phone numbers to set up the first lesson for the following week (see "Enrollment, Fees and Calendar"). Decide on a day and time of the week that is agreeable to both you and the family. Arrange to meet the family and student for the first time at the Mason Hall Breezeway. You can then escort the student to an empty practice room for the lesson. They may meet you outside the practice room thereafter.

Parent's Observation

Please extend a welcome to the parents to observe the lesson at any time. If you feel the parent's presence is creating a dynamic not conducive to the student's progress, please report this to Dr. Freeland.

Lesson Observation

Lesson Attendance Record

You and the student must initial the Lesson Attendance Record after each lesson. Failure to do so will affect your status as a teacher.

Absence Policy

Please note the following Absence Policy given to students. This is to the benefit of both you and the student, and you are expected to adhere to it. It states:

Students that must cancel a weekly lesson are requested to give their teacher as much advance notice as possible. Lessons cancelled will be rescheduled at the convenience of the teacher. Lessons cancelled by the teacher will be rescheduled at a time agreed upon by both parties. Cancellation and rescheduling are allowed only twice per semester. There will be no rescheduling past this limit, only the resuming of weekly lessons.

Conclusion of Semester and Recital

A recital will be presented at the end of each semester. Please encourage all students to participate. Dr. Freeland will post recital flyers for you to distribute and contact you for recital selections as the date approaches.